Jointing construction

ABSTRACT

Structural members  1, 21  are connected by way of a connecting rod  3  which is attached to one structural member  1  and projects outward from connecting surface  2  of structural member  1  in the direction of other structural member  21,  and a connector  23  which is attached to other structural member  21  and has a plurality of wedges  25  which engage with connecting rod  3  stopping it so that it cannot slip out. Connecting rod  3  is attached so as to be moveable in a direction parallel to connecting surface  2.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connecting structure in whichstructural elements such as segments are connected together, a pluralityof these structural elements being connected together to form acylindrical tunnel wall member, for example.

2. Technical Field of the Invention

When forming tunnel wall members, a typical structure employed for thesegment connecting structure is one in which a joint plate having a holeis recessed in the vicinity of the segment's connecting surface. Theconnecting surfaces of the segments are brought into contact with oneanother, with the joint plate holes aligned so as to communicate. A boltis then passed through the communicating holes in this state, and a nutis fastened on to the bolt to affect the connection.

However, the above structure requires that the extremely troublesomeoperation of passing the bolt through the holes formed in the connectingsurfaces of the joint plates, and then fastening a nut over the bolt, beperformed at the construction site.

Moreover, in the above-described structure, fastening of the nut ontothe bolt becomes difficult if there is even a slight positionaldeviation between the segments. As a result, work may be delayed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention's connecting structure is one in which thestructural members are connected with their connecting surfaces mutuallyaligned. The present invention's connecting structure is connected bymeans of a connecting rod attached to one structural member andprojecting outward from its connecting surface in the direction ofanother structural member, and a connector attached to the otherstructural member which engages with this connecting rod. This connectoris provided with a tapered sleeve, the diameter of its innercircumferential surface gradually widening in the direction of insertionof the connecting rod; a plurality of wedges which are disposed in acircle within the sleeve to form an insertion fixing hole for theconnecting rod at their mutual center, the plurality of wedges beingdisposed so as to be freely moveable in the longitudinal direction ofthe sleeve, with the outer circumferential surfaces of the wedges incontact with the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve; and anelastic member for biasing the wedges toward the rear of the directionof insertion of the connecting rod.

In the case where connecting structural members using this connectingstructure, the wedges retreat toward the bottom of the sleeve,compressing the elastic member, when the connecting rod is pushed intothe sleeve of the connector. The diameter of the insertion fixing holeformed by the wedges widens, and the connecting rod is inserted into theinsertion fixing hole. Once the insertion of the connecting rod into theinsertion fixing hole is completed, the wedges are pushed toward the tipof the sleeve due to the biasing force of the elastic member. As aresult, the diameter of the insertion fixing hole formed by the wedgesis reduced, so that the connecting rod is gripped and fixed in place.The diameter of the insertion fixing hole formed by the wedges narrowsfurther in response to a slipping out movement by the connecting rod, sothat the fixing force of the wedges is increased. As a result, theconnecting rod is strongly connected by the connector, thus connectingthe structural members in a unitary manner.

The method for producing the wedges employed in the present invention isone in which wedges are produced for a connector that is provided with atapered sleeve, the inner circumferential surface of which has agradually widening diameter in the direction of insertion of theconnecting rod; a plurality of wedges that are disposed in a circlewithin the sleeve to form an insertion fixing hole at their mutualcenter, this plurality of wedges being disposed so as to be freelymoveable along the longitudinal direction of the sleeve with their outercircumferential surfaces in contact with the inner circumferentialsurface of the sleeve; and an elastic member for biasing the wedgestoward the rear direction of insertion of the connecting rod which isinserted into the insertion fixing hole. In this method, a plurality ofintermediate work pieces, which are flabellate in cross-section, areproduced and then placed in a forging machine disposed in a circle withtheir lateral surfaces facing one another. These intermediate workpieces are then simultaneously forge-molded into wedges by the forgingmachine, to produce the wedges which form the connector.

This method for producing the wedges does not require an operation forsegmenting a wedge-shaped cylinder by cutting. Accordingly, the wedgescan be produced at low cost. Moreover, accuracy in assembling aplurality of these wedges is excellent. Further, since no machiningallowance for cutting is incurred, a reduction in wedge width and adecrease in the contact surface with the sleeve does not occur. As aresult, strong fastening can be obtained, while at the same time, smalldiameter wedges can be produced. In addition, since the fiber flowgenerated during forge-molding is not interrupted, strong wedges can beobtained. The machining equipment can also be reduced in size.Productivity is increased, with defective products less likely to beproduced. As a result, the wedges can be produced even moreinexpensively.

In the attaching structure for the connector in the present invention,the connector is attached to a mold-plate using an attaching member, theconnector being provided with a tapered sleeve, the innercircumferential surface of which has a gradually widening diameter inthe direction of insertion of the connecting rod; a plurality of wedgesthat are disposed in a circle within the sleeve to form an insertionfixing hole at their mutual center, this plurality of wedges beingdisposed so as to be freely moveable along the longitudinal direction ofthe sleeve with their outer circumferential surfaces in contact with theinner circumferential surface of the sleeve; and an elastic member forbiasing the wedges toward the rear of the direction of insertion of theconnecting rod which is inserted into the insertion fixing hole. Theattaching member is equipped with a cylindrical pin which passes throughthe attachment hole formed in the mold-plate, to insert into and engagewith the insertion fixing hole of the connector disposed at the innersurface of the mold-plate; a stopping member provided to the cylindricalpin, which is stopped by the outer surface of the mold-plate; anelastically deformable elastic member which is provided to the end ofthe cylindrical pin on its connector side; an attachment bolt whichpasses through the elastic member and the cylindrical pin, the head ofwhich is stopped by the elastic member; and an attachment nut whichscrews onto the end of the attachment bolt which projects outward fromthe end of the cylindrical pin. By screwing on the attachment nut of theattaching member, the elastic member is compressed and its diameterexpands, attaching the connector to the mold-plate.

In this attaching structure for the connector, the elastic member andthe cylindrical pin of the attaching member are passed through theattachment hole of the mold-plate and inserted into the connector. Then,by the simple operation of fastening the attachment nut, the elasticmember is compressed, so that its diameter expands. As a result, theattaching member and the connector form a unitary structure, therebyattaching the connector to the mold-plate. Thus, a quicker and simplerattachment operation can be anticipated.

It is necessary to release the connection between the connector andmold-plate when removing the mold. In this case, by loosening theattachment nut, the pressing force of the head portion of the attachmentbolt on the elastic member is released. As a result, the elastic memberreturns to its original form, releasing the engagement between theconnector and the attaching member. As a result, the connection betweenthe connector and the mold-plate is released. Accordingly, removal ofthe connector from the mold-plate can also be carried out easily andquickly.

In the attaching structure for the connector in the present invention,the attaching member is provided with an engaging member which isinserted into and engages with an attachment hole in the mold-plate; astopping member which is provided to the engaging member and is stoppedby the outer surface of the mold-plate; a plurality of wide-diameterpieces which are disposed in opposition to one another at the open endof the inner circumferential wall of the sleeve of the connector,sandwiching the axis of the sleeve therebetween; a biasing means forbiasing this plurality of wide-diameter pieces toward the axis; awide-diameter piece manipulating member provided with a tapered surfacedisposed in between the plurality of wide-diameter pieces for mutuallyseparating the plurality of wide-diameter pieces accompanying relativemovement toward the attachment hole, and mutually bringing together thewide-diameter pieces under the biasing force of the biasing meansaccompanying relative movement in the opposite direction, and aninterlocking member for interlocking with the wide-diameter pieces whenthey have been brought mutually close together and moving them in theopposite direction; an attachment bolt which passes through thewide-diameter piece manipulating member, the engaging member and thestopping member, the head portion of which is stopped by thewide-diameter piece manipulating member; and an attachment nut whichscrews onto the end of the attachment bolt which projects outward fromthe stopping member. The attaching structure for the connector in thepresent invention attaches the connector to the mold-plate by screwingon the attachment nut to the attaching member, so that the wide-diameterpieces are compressed in the outer circumferential direction by thewide-diameter piece manipulating member.

In this attaching structure for the connector, the attachment of theconnector to the mold-plate can be carried out by means of the simpleoperation of inserting the wide-diameter pieces and the wide-diameterpiece manipulating member into the connector via the attachment hole ofthe mold-plate, and fastening the attachment nut. As a result, a fasterand easier attachment operation can be anticipated.

It is necessary to release the connection between the connector andmold-plate when removing the mold. In this case, by loosening theattachment nut, the pressing force of the wide-diameter piecemanipulating member on the wide-diameter pieces can be released.

In this way, the wide-diameter pieces are brought mutually closetogether by the biasing means, so that the engagement between theconnector and attaching member is released. Moreover, as a result, theconnection between the connector and the mold-plate is also released.Accordingly, the release of the connector from the mold-plate can alsobe carried out easily and quickly. In other words, by employing thisattaching member, it is possible to easily and quickly form a structuralmember to which a connector is provided.

In addition, in the attaching structure of the connector in the presentinvention, a retainer having a screw hole is provided in between thewedges and the elastic member of the connector, with the screw holecommunicating with the insertion fixing hole. In this attachingstructure, the connector is attached to the mold-plate by inserting theattachment bolt which has been inserted through the attachment hole ofthe mold-plate into the insertion fixing hole, and screwing theattachment bolt into the screw hole of the retainer.

In the attaching structure for the connector in the present invention, aretainer is provided in between the wedges and the elastic member of theconnector, this retainer being provided with a nut having a screw hole.The attachment bolt inserted through the attachment hole of themold-plate is inserted into the insertion fixing hole, and screwed intothe screw hole of the nut. In this way, the connector is attached to themold-plate.

In these attaching structures for connectors, the attachment bolt isinserted into the connector by passing through the attachment hole ofthe mold-plate. The attachment of the connector to the mold-plate canthen be carried out by means of the simple operation of screwing theattachment bolt into the screw hole formed in the retainer or,alternatively, the screw hole of the nut. Thus, a simpler and quickerattaching operation can be anticipated. Moreover, releasing can becarried out simply by loosening the attachment bolt from the retainerscrew hole or the nut screw hole. As a result, the release of theconnector can also be carried out quickly and easily. In other words,the formation of a structural member in which a connector is providedcan be performed easily and quickly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the present invention'sconnecting structure, showing the connection site of the structuralmember.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the structure of theconnecting rod, showing the portion of a structural member in which theconnecting rod is provided.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the F—F line in FIG. 2 forexplaining the structure of the connecting rod.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the J—J line in FIG. 3 forexplaining the structure of the connecting rod.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of connectionbetween structural members, showing the connection site on thestructural member.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the connecting structureemploying a connector of another design, showing the connection site onthe structural member.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the connecting structureemploying a connector of another design, showing the connection site onthe structural member.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of connectionof structural members employing a connector of another design, showingthe connection site on the structural member.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the connecting structureemploying a connector of another design, showing the connection site onthe structural member.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the state of connectionof structural members employing a connector of another design, showingthe connection site on the structural member.

FIG. 11 is a production process diagram for explaining the productionmethod for the wedges employed in the connector.

FIG. 12 is a planar view of the wedges employed in the connector.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the forging machine for explainingthe process for producing the wedges.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the connector employing the wedgesproduced.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the connector attached to themold-plate for explaining the structure for attaching the connector tothe mold-plate.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the connector attached to themold-plate, for explaining another example of the structure forattaching the connector to the mold-plate.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the connector attached to themold-plate, for explaining another example of the structure forattaching the connector to the mold-plate.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connector attached to themold-plate, for explaining another example of the structure forattaching the connector to the mold-plate.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explainedwith reference to the accompanying figures.

These embodiments employ as an example a structural member consisting ofthe segments forming a tunnel wall element. The structure for connectingthese structural members will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1, a connecting rod 3 projecting outward from theconnecting surface 2 of structural member 1 is attached insidestructural member 1, which consists of one segment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the end 3 a of connecting rod 3 is tapered so thatits diameter gradually reduces in the direction of the tip.

Supporting plate 4 is embedded inside structural member 1 parallel toconnecting surface 2. This supporting plate 4 is fixed in place byfixing member 6 which itself is fixed to structural member 1 by anchor5. Housing case 7 is attached to the rear surface of supporting plate 4.This housing case 7 is embedded in structural member 1 and forms ahousing space 8. Opening 9 is formed in supporting plate 4 opening inthe forward direction of connecting surface 2.

Base end 3 b of connecting rod 3 is disposed inside housing space 8 byinsertion through opening 9. Head portion 10 is provided to base end 3 bfor engaging with supporting plate 4. This head portion 10 attaches nut11 to base end 3 b of connecting rod 3. Head portion 10 is formed tohave a larger diameter than opening 9.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, housing case 7 which forms housing space 8has indentations 7a where the inner circumferential diameter of housingcase 7 is reduced. The space between indentation 7 a and near part 11 aof nut 11 is approximately 2 mm. A space is also present between theinner wall of housing case 7 and corner 11 b of nut 11, with thisdimension set so as to be approximately equal to the space betweenindentation 7 a and near part 11 a of nut 11.

In contrast, there is almost no space between nut 11, and supportingplate 4 and housing case 7.

In one structural member 1 having this structure, head portion 10 ofconnecting rod 3 is formed to have a diameter larger than opening 9. Asa result, connecting rod 3 does not slip out toward the front ofconnecting surface 2.

There is a space between head portion 10 of connecting rod 3 and housingcase 7. As a result, head portion 10 can move within housing space 8 ina direction parallel to connecting surface 2 (in the direction indicatedby X in FIG. 1, or in a direction opposite thereto) within the limits ofspecific dimensions corresponding to the aforementioned space.Accordingly, connecting rod 3 itself, which projects outward fromopening 9, can move in a direction parallel to connecting surface 2within connecting surface 2 of structural member 1.

Next, the structure of structural member 21 consisting of anothersegment which connects with structural member 1 will be explained.

Connector 23 is provided to other structural member 21 inside connectingsurface 22. Connector 23 has a sleeve 24 which is formed to taper in thedirection opposite that indicated by Y shown in FIG. 1. A plurality ofwedges 25 are disposed in a ring within sleeve 24 to a form an insertionfixing hole H at their center through which connecting rod 3 isinserted. Furthermore, the plurality of wedges 25 are disposed so as tobe freely moveable in the longitudinal direction of sleeve 24 with theirouter circumferential surfaces in contact with the inner circumferentialsurface of sleeve 24. A spring holding member (urethane case) 26 isattached at the rear of the large diameter end of sleeve 24 by means ofa bent portion 24 a. Urethane spring 27 is housed inside spring holdingmember 26 as an elastic member for biasing wedges 25 toward the smalldiameter end of sleeve 24 so that the diameter of insertion fixing holeH is reduced. Numeric symbol 28 indicates a retainer for partitioningwedges 25 and urethane spring 27.

The function of this connecting structure will now be explained. Whenconnecting structural members 1,21, connecting rod 3 is pushed intosleeve 24 of connector 23 by moving one structural member 1 in the Ydirection, causing wedges 25 to compress urethane spring 27. Wedges 25retreat toward the bottom (in the Y direction in the figure) of sleeve24, and the diameter of insertion fixing hole H formed by wedges 25narrows. In this way, connecting rod 3 is inserted into this insertionfixing hole H.

Once insertion of connecting rod 3 into insertion fixing hole H iscompleted, wedges 25 are pushed toward the tip (in the oppositedirection of Y) of sleeve 24 by the biasing force of urethane spring 27.As a result, the diameter of insertion fixing hole H formed by thesewedges 25 is reduced, so that connecting rod 3 is gripped and fixed inplace.

In response to a slipping out movement by connecting rod 3, the diameterof the insertion fixing hole H formed by wedges 25 becomes stillsmaller, thereby increasing its fixing force. As a result, connectingrod 3 is strongly connected to connector 23, so that structural members1,21 are connected in a unitary manner.

When connecting structural members 1,21 in the example shown in FIG. 1,the axes of connecting rod 3 and connector 23 coincide with one anotherin the connecting action—what might be called an “ideal connectionaction”. However, actual connection of structural members 1,21 is notlimited absolutely to a state in which the axes of connecting rod 3 andconnector 23 coincide. Rather, as shown in FIG. 5, it is frequently thecase that connecting rod 3 and connector 23 enter the connecting actionwith their axes deviating in the X direction for example, i.e., aneccentric insertion.

Accordingly, in the actual steps to connect structural members 1,21, astructure is desirable in which structural members 1,21 can be connectedeven in the case of this type of eccentric insertion.

In the above-described connecting structure, the amount by which wedges25 retreat can be increased by making the urethane spring 27 thicker onthe connector 23 side. As a result, even in the case of an eccentricinsertion, connection of structural members 1,21 by means of engagementbetween connecting rod 3 and connector 23 is possible. In other words,in the case where connecting rod 3 is inserted with its axis directedeccentrically in the X direction with respect to the axis of connector23, connecting rod 3 pushes wedges 25 in the X direction. Wedges 25pushed by connecting rod 3 retreat greatly in the Y direction,compressing urethane spring 27 more strongly in the Y direction. As aresult, axial deviation is permitted in the case of an eccentricinsertion.

Note that the size of spring holding member 26 increases as urethanespring 27 is made thicker. Accordingly, this leads to an increase in thesize and cost of the connecting structure.

On the other hand, when urethane spring 27 is made thin, the amount bywhich wedges 25 retreat inside connector 23 when connecting rod 3 hasbeen inserted into connector 23 is reduced. As a result, lesseccentricity is permitted in the insertion of connecting rod 3.

In the above-described connecting structure, eccentric deviation ispermitted by connector 23. In structural member 1, connecting rod 3 ispushed in the X direction by wedges 25, so that head portion 10 insidehousing space 8 moves in the X direction. Accompanying this, connectingrod 3 itself also moves in the X direction. As a result, structuralmembers 1,21 can be connected with a greater degree of axial deviationpermitted between connecting rod 3 and connector 23.

Thus, in the above-described connecting structure for structural members1,21, it is possible to respond to an eccentric insertion from both theconnector 23 side and the connecting rod 3 side. When insertingconnecting rod 3, it is possible to respond to an even greater degree ofeccentricity. Thus, it is possible to connect structural members 1,21with ease and certainty.

Furthermore, even if urethane spring 27 is made thin in this connectingstructure, compensation therefore can be accomplished on the connectingrod 3 side. As a result, urethane spring 27 can be made thin, enabling areduction in the side of connector 23.

In the above-described connecting structure, urethane spring 27 is heldinside spring holding member 26 of connector 23 as a elastic member.However, the elastic member is not limited to urethane spring 27.

Namely, other springs or elastic elements such as rubber may be used inplace of urethane spring 27 as the elastic member, to the same effect.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 6 employs a belleville spring 31 as theelastic member used in connector 23.

This example also has the same effect as in the case of the connectingstructure discussed above. Namely, even if a thin belleville spring 31is employed as an elastic member, deviation of structural members 1,21can be permitted with surety.

Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be explainedwith reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

The connecting structure according to the second embodiment differs fromthat of the first embodiment in the provision of a sealing member (Oring) 32 in the vicinity of connecting rod 3 of one structural member 1.

When connecting one structural member 1 and another structural member 21in this type of connecting structure, sealing member 32 is compressed byconnecting surfaces 2,22 of structural members 1,21. As shown in FIG. 8,sealing member 32 enters into sleeve 24, sealing the interval of spacebetween the inner circumferential surface at the sleeve 24 entrance andthe outer circumferential surface of connecting rod 3. As a result,intrusion of water into connector 23 is prevented.

Accordingly, for example, even if water leakage occurs inside the tunnelin which structural members 1,21 have been disposed, water does notenter connector 23, so that internal corrosion does not readily occur.

In addition, note that, as shown in FIG. 8, when there is a spacebetween connecting rod 3 and fixing member 6, sealing member 32 alsoseals this space. As a result, sealing member 32 also functions toprevent intrusion of water into housing case 7.

The third embodiment will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 9 and10.

The connecting structure in this third embodiment differs from thatshown in the second embodiment in that the area of connecting rod 3 nearits tip 3 a has the form of a saw-blade in cross-section, as shown inthe figure. In addition, another point of difference is the provision ofa metallic plate 33 formed in a unitary manner with retainer 28 at theinner circumferential surface of wedges 25.

Because the area of connecting rod 3 at its tip 3 a has this saw-bladeform in cross-section, once structural members 1,21 are connected, evenif there is a force working in a direction which would separate and pullapart the two members, the outer circumferential surface of connectingrod 3 with this saw-blade form in cross-section is interlocked with theinner circumferential surfaces of wedges 25. As a result, frictionalforce increases, so that structural members 1,21 are not easilyseparated. Thus, a more strongly fixed connection between structuralmembers 1,21 is enabled. In addition, even though the outercircumferential surface near tip 3 a of connecting rod 3 has a saw-bladeform in cross section, the inner circumferential surfaces of wedges 25are reinforced by metallic plate 33. As a result, the strength of wedges25 is ensured, while the inner circumferential surface thereof isprotected.

This embodiment is equivalent to the first and second embodiments withrespect to there being sufficient allowance for axial deviation betweenconnecting rod 3 and connector 23 even when belleville spring 31 is madethin.

In this third embodiment, the area at tip 3 a of connecting rod 3 isformed into a saw-blade in cross-section. At the same time, however, theinner circumferential surface of wedges 25 or metallic plate 33 may beformed so as to interlock with the saw-blade form of connecting rod 3,thereby enabling an even stronger connecting force between structuralmembers 1,21.

The method for making wedges 25 of connector 23 that are employed in theabove-described connecting structure will now be explained.

FIGS. 11˜13 show examples of methods for making wedges 25 of connector23.

These wedges 25 are formed via the steps of cutting a circular platefrom a steel or other metallic round rod in a mechanical process using amilling machine or a sawing machine as shown in FIGS. 11(a), (b), and(c); subjecting the circular plate to bonderizing; forming the circularplate into an intermediate product 25 such as shown in FIGS. 11 (d) and(e) that is flabellate in cross-section by cold forging; and disposinginside forging machine 41 a plurality (four here) of the thus-formedintermediate products 25A in a circle so that their lateral sides 25Aaface one another, and forging this plurality of intermediate products25A simultaneously into wedges under the operation of forging machine41.

Note that in FIG. 11, (c) is a view of the bottom surface of (b), (e) isa view of the bottom surface of (d), and (g) is a view of the bottomsurface of (f).

Forging machine 41 is provided with a lower dice 42, upper punch 43 andnotch out pin 44, and is designed to simultaneously cold forge theplurality of intermediate products 25A (see left half of FIG. 13) whichhave been placed in a circle around axis 43 a of upper punch 43 intowedges 25 by lowering upper punch 43 with respect to lower dice 42. Astamp is attached to the pressing surface 43 b of upper punch 43 forstamping the end surface on the large diameter side of each wedge 25during forge-molding with a symbol or a graphic character, such as K,(hereinafter, “symbol”) showing the alignment of the plurality of wedges25. The stamp may be convex or concave. Typically, however, it is convex(but concave in the case of symbol K).

In the above example, intermediate product 25A was formed by forging.Intermediate product 25A may be formed by other means, such asmechanical processing, however. The method for forming intermediateproduct 25A is optional. Bonderizing of intermediate product 25A iscarried out as necessary.

Forging machine 41 in FIG. 13 is designed to form tips 25 a of wedges 25into a natural form. Forging machine 41 is not limited thereto, however,but rather the design and type formed is optional.

Symbol 25 b in FIG. 12 indicates cut-outs formed in the outer peripheralcorners of the edge surface on the large diameter side of wedges 25.

In the method for forming wedges 25 in this example, a partitioningoperation using a step to cut a wedge-shaped cylinder is not necessary.Accordingly, wedges 25 can be formed at low cost, with good accuracy ofassembly for the plurality of wedges 25. Moreover, since there is nomachine allowance for cutting incurred, no reduction in the width ofwedges 25 nor decrease in the contact surface with sleeve 24 occurs.Accordingly, a strong fastening force can be obtained, while at the sametime forming a small diameter wedge 25.

In addition, since the flow of fiber generated during forge-molding isnot interrupted, wedges 25 having a high degree of strength can beobtained. In addition, a reduction in the size of the machiningequipment can be anticipated. Productivity is improved and defectiveproducts become less likely. Accordingly, wedges 25 can be formed alower cost.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a connector 23 employing wedges 25 formed inthe above-described production method. The production and operation ofconnector 23 are almost identical to that described above. Connector 23is formed in the main of tapered sleeve 24 which is circular incross-section; a plurality of wedges 25 which are disposed in a circleto form insertion fixing hole H of connecting rod 3 at their center,wedges 25 housed inside sleeve 24 to be freely moveable in thelongitudinal direction of sleeve 24 with their outer circumferentialsurfaces in contact with the inner circumferential surface of sleeve 24;and cylindrical urethane spring 27 provided to the large diameter rearend of sleeve 24, biasing wedges 25 toward the small diameter tip ofsleeve 24 so that the diameter of insertion fixing hole H becomessmaller. Using the K symbols, each wedge 25 is housed inside sleeve 24in the same array as employed at the time of forge-molding. A springholding member 26 is fixed in place by bent member 24 a at the rear endside of sleeve 24.

The strength of spring holding member 26 is increased by the formationof projection 26 a at the center of the bottom of spring holding member26. In addition, projection 26 a engages with the hole at the center ofurethane spring 27 and fixes urethane spring 27 in a specific position.

In connector 23 employing wedges 25 formed by the above-describedproduction method, not only is the accuracy of assembly of the pluralityof wedges 25 excellent, but, because a machine allowance for a cuttingprocess is not necessary, the contact area with respect to sleeve 24 isexpanded by that portion. As a result, connecting rod 3 can be tightlyjoined, thus a strong, stable connecting force can be obtained.

The loading number (the number of wedges 25 disposed inside sleeve 24)of intermediate products 25A in forging machine 41 is not limited to 4.Rather, a loading number of 2, 3 or, depending on the circumstances, 5or more is possible. In addition to belleville spring 31 describedabove, a flat spring, coil spring or the like may be used in urethanespring 27. An

explanation will now be made of the case where connector 23 is supportedby a mold-plate during production of structural member 21 having aconnector 23.

In FIG. 15, numeral 51 is a mold-plate for molding structural member 21.An attachment hole 52 is formed passing through mold-plate 51. Attachingmember 53 attaches connector 23 to the area around attachment hole 52 atinner surface 54 a of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51.

The axes of attaching member 53 and connector 23 attached to attachingmember 53 coincide with axis CT1 of attachment hole 52.

Note that the connector 23 in this example has a cylindrical sleeve 24which has a bottom. A elastic member 27 is disposed to the bottom 24 aof sleeve 24.

A horizontal and vertical reinforcing arrangement 55 is disposed to theinner portion of mold-plate 51. An anchor 5 is weld-fixed to the outercircumference of sleeve 24 of connector 23. Anchor 5 is wrapped byreinforcing arrangement 55.

Attaching member 53 has a cylindrical pin 57 which is inserted into andengages with insertion fixing hole H of the wedges 25 inside connector23 by inserting through attachment hole 52 of side plate 54 ofmold-plate 51. Stopping members 58 are provided to cylindrical pin 57for stopping at the outer surface 54 b of side plate 54 of mold-plate51. A cylindrical elastic member 59 capable of elastic deformation isprovided to the end of cylindrical pin 57 on its connector 23 side.Attachment bolt 60 is provided to cylindrical pin 57 passing through theinternal portion thereof. The head portion 60 a of attachment bolt 60 isstopped by end surface 59 a of elastic member 59. Attachment nut 61 isprovided by screw-attachment to the end portion 60 b of attachment bolt60.

Cylindrical pin 57 is formed so as to engage with attachment hole 52 atthe side plate 54 of mold-plate 51. As a result, it is simple to alignattaching member 53 and connector 23.

Stopping member 58 is a tightening nut which is screwed on tocylindrical pin 57. Namely, male screw 57 a is formed to the outercircumferential surface of the end of cylindrical pin 57. Stoppingmember 58, which is a tightening nut, is screwed on to male screw 57 ato be freely moveable along axis CT1, stopping member 58 coming intocontact with the outer surface 54 b of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51.

Note that it is not absolutely essential that stopping member 58 be atightening nut. Rather, stopping member 58 may also be a circular memberfixed to cylindrical pin 57, for example.

Elastic member 59 may consist of any type of material, provided that itis capable of elastic deformation. In the discussion here, a rubbermaterial is employed.

Attachment nut 61 is screwed on to the end 60 b of attachment bolt 60 soas to be freely moveable along the direction of axis CT1, attachment nut61 coming into contact with end surface 57 b of cylindrical pin 57.

Attaching member 53 has the structure described above. Accordingly, asdescribed below, the attachment and release of connector 23 to and frommold-plate 51 can be carried out easily and quickly.

Namely, connector 23 is disposed to the area around attachment hole 52at the inner surface 54 a of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51 with its endin contact with inner surface 54 a and its axis coinciding with axis CT1of attachment hole 52.

Next, attaching member 53 is disposed to the area around attachment hole52 at outer surface 54 b of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51. Elastic body59 and cylindrical pin 57 are inserted into connector 23 via attachmenthole 52 of mold-plate 51. Stopping member 58 is designed to be stoppedby coming into contact with outer surface 54 b of side plate 54 ofmold-plate 51. In this case, since cylindrical pin 57 engages withattachment hole 52 without any space therebetween, the axis ofcylindrical pin 57 coincides with axis CT1. As a result, the axis ofconnector 23 into which cyclindrical pin 57 and elastic member 59 havebeen inserted also coincides with axis CT1 of attachment hole 52. Thus,alignment of connector 23 can be carried out easily.

Next, attachment nut 61 is fastened on the cylindrical pin 57 side. Inthis way, head portion 60 a of attachment bolt 60 which has stopped endsurface 59 a of elastic member 59 is drawn close to the cylindrical pin57 side. As a result, elastic member 59 is compressed, undergoingelastic deformation to become flatter. The diameter of elastic member 59widens as a result. The widened elastic member 59 uniformly presses theinner circumferential surface of the plurality of wedges 25 in connector23. As a result, connector 23 is fixed in place to attaching member 53with its axis coinciding with axis CT1. In addition, attaching member 53and connector 23 sandwich lateral plate 54 of mold-plate 51therebetween, thus serving to fix mold-plate 51 as well.

In this way, connector 23 is disposed and fixed in place withinmold-plate 51. In order to further secure fixing in this case, however,stopping member 58 consisting of the tightening nut is fastened on themold-plate 51 side. As a result, connector 23 is drawn close to innersurface 54 a of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51 and tightly affixed,thereby securing the fixing thereof.

By pouring and hardening concrete on the inner side of mold-plate 51 inthis state, a structural member 21 in which connector 23 is provided ata specific position can be produced.

In this way, attaching member 53 is employed to attach connector 23 tomold-plate 51 by means of a simple operation in which cylindrical pin 57and elastic member 59 are inserted into connector 23 via attachment hole52 of mold-plate 51, and attachment nut 61 is tightened. Thus, it ispossible to simplify and speed up the attachment operation.

It is necessary to release the connection between connector 23 andmold-plate 51 when removing the mold. In this case, by looseningattachment nut 61, the pressing force of head portion 60 a of attachmentbolt 60 on elastic member 59 is released. As a result, elastic member 59returns to its original form, releasing the engagement between connector23 and attaching member 53. As a result, the connection betweenconnector 23 and mold-plate 51 is released. Accordingly, removal ofconnector 23 from mold-plate 51 can also be carried out easily andquickly.

FIG. 16 shows an example of the attachment of connector 23 to a specificposition on mold-plate 51 employing another attaching member 71.

This attaching member 71 has an engaging portion 72 which inserts intoand engages with attachment hole 52 of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51.Engaging portion 72 is formed as a circular disk, with itscircumferential wall 72 a contacting attachment hole 52. A plate-shapedstopping member 73 is provided fixed to the outer surface 54 b side ofside plate 54. Surface 73 a on the side plate 54 side of stopping member73 is stopped by outer surface 54 b of side plate 54. Passage holes 72b, 73 b formed centered on axis CT1 of attachment hole 52 are formed toengaging member 72 and stopping member 73, respectively.

Connector 23 is disposed to the inner surface 54 a of side plate 54 ofmold-plate 51. A plurality of wide-diameter pieces 74 are disposed tothe open end of tapered inner circumferential wall 24 b of sleeve 24 ofconnector 23. These wide-diameter pieces 74 have respective projections74 a projecting toward the axis CT1 side. The surface of each wideprojection 74 a on the axis CT1 side forms a tapered surface 74 b whichgradually approaches axis CT1 as the open end of sleeve 24 isapproached.

Stopping surfaces 74 c are formed to the open end side of sleeve 24 ofeach projection 74 a. Stopping surfaces 74 c are formed at right angleswith respect to axis CT1. Mutually communicating grooves 74 d areprovided to the outer circumferential surface of wide-diameter pieces 74centered on axis CT1.

Ring-type springs 75 engage with grooves 74 d in the plurality ofwide-diameter pieces 74 as a biasing means for biasing thesewide-diameter pieces 74 toward axis CT1.

Approximately cylindrical wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76 isdisposed between the plurality of wide-diameter pieces 74. A taperedsurface 76 a is formed to the top part of wide-diameter piecemanipulating member 76. This tapered surface 76 a is designed to come incontact with the tapered surface 74 b of wide-diameter piece 74.Wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76 moves toward attachment hole52 along axis CT1, so that wide-diameter pieces 74 are moved apart fromone another. Conversely, when wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76moves along axis CT1 in the direction away from attachment hole 52,wide-diameter pieces 74 come into contact with one another due to thebiasing force of ring-shaped spring 75.

Engaging portion 76 b is formed in a circle projecting outward at theupper end of wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76, this engagingportion 76 b engaging with engaging surfaces 74 c of projections 74 a ofwide-diameter pieces 74 when wide-diameter pieces 74 are close together.

Attachment bolt 77 is provided passing through the inside ofwide-diameter piece manipulating member 76. The head portion 77 a ofattachment bolt 77 is stopped by the end surface 76 c of wide-diameterpiece manipulating member 76. In addition, attachment bolt 77 isinserted into passage hole 72 b of engaging portion 72 and passage hole73 b of stopping member 73. Attachment nut 78 is screwed on to the endportion of attachment bolt 77, with attachment nut 78 coming intocontact with stopping member 73.

Because attaching member 71 and the like are designed as describedabove, the attachment and removal of connector 23 to and from mold-plate51 can be carried out easily and quickly.

Namely, the open end side of connector 23 is brought into contact withthe inner surface 54 a of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51 while beingmade to coincide with axis CT1 of attachment hole 52.

Next, attaching member 71 is disposed to the area around attachment hole52 at outer surface 54 b of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51.Wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76 and wide-diameter pieces 74of attaching member 71 are inserted into connector 23 after passingthrough attachment hole 52 of mold-plate 51.

In this case wide-diameter pieces 74 are brought close together in thedirection indicated by arrows C in the figure due to the biasing forceof ring-shaped springs 75. For this reason, the outer diameter ofwide-diameter pieces 74 is smaller than the diameter of the open endportion of inner circumferential wall 24 b of sleeve 24 of connector 23.

Accordingly, wide-diameter pieces 74 and wide-diameter piecemanipulating member 76 can be inserted inside sleeve 24.

When wide-diameter pieces 74 and wide-diameter piece manipulating member76 are inserted into sleeve 24, stopping member 73 comes into contactwith outer surface 54 b of side plate 54 of mold-plate 51 and isstopped.

Because engaging member 72 engages with attachment hole 52 in this case,the axis thereof coincides with axis CT1 of attachment hole 52.

Attachment nut 78 is fastened on the stopping member 73 side. As aresult, attachment bolt. 77, which stops wide-diameter piecemanipulating member 76, is brought close to the attachment hole 52 side,so that wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76 moves to theattachment hole 52 side.

The outer circumferential surfaces of wide-diameter pieces 74 disposedaround wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76 are in contact withtapered inner circumferential wall 24 b of sleeve 24 in connector 23.Due to frictional force, wide-diameter pieces 74 are moved in adirection (i.e., the direction indicated by arrow B in the figure) whichis relatively opposite the direction (i.e., the direction indicated byarrow A in the figure) in which wide-diameter piece manipulating member76 moves.

As a result, tapered surface 76 a of wide-diameter piece manipulatingmember 76 slides in the direction indicated by arrow A relative totapered surface 74 b of wide-diameter piece 74. Thus, wide-diameterpieces 74 are pushed apart from one another by tapered surface 76 a ofwide-diameter piece manipulating member 76. In other words, the outerdiameter of wide-diameter pieces 74 becomes greater.

By increasing the outer diameter of wide-diameter pieces 74 in this way,wide-diameter pieces 74 are more strongly pressed against innercircumferential wall 24 b of sleeve 24 of connector 23. As a result,connector 23 is fixed in place by attaching member 71.

When wide-diameter pieces 74 are fixed in place by connector 23,wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76 is stopped by connector 23via wide-diameter pieces 74. Thus, when attachment nut 78 is fastened,side plate 54 of mold-plate 51 is sandwiched in the space betweenconnector 23 and stopping member 73 of attaching member 71.

By pouring and hardening concrete inside mold-plate 51 in this state, astructural member 21 in which connector 23 is provided at a specificposition can be produced.

Thus, connector 23 is also fixed to mold-plate 51. In this case, theaxis of connector 23 can be made to coincide with the axis CT1 ofattachment hole 52. As a result, alignment can be carried outconveniently and with high accuracy.

Accordingly, attaching member 71 can attach connector 23 to mold-plate51 by means of a-simple operation in which the wide-diameter pieces 74and wide-diameter piece manipulating member 76 are inserted intoconnector 23 by passing through attachment hole 52 of mold-plate 51 andfastening attachment nut 78. Thus, the attachment operation can be donemore easily and quickly.

The connection between connector 23 and mold-plate 51 must be releasedwhen releasing the mold. The pressing force of wide-diameter piecemanipulating member 76 on wide-diameter pieces 74 can be released byloosening attachment nut 78 and moving wide-diameter piece manipulatingmember 76 in the direction indicated by arrow B in the figure.

In this way, wide-diameter pieces 74 are drawn together by ring-shapedspring 75, so that the engagement between connector 23 and attachingmember 7 is freed. As a result, the connection between connector 23 andmold-plate 51 is released. Accordingly, the release of connector 23 frommold-plate 51 can also be carried out easily and quickly.

Using attaching member 71 as described above, the formation of astructural member 21 in which a connector 23 is provided can be carriedout easily and quickly.

Next, another example will be explained in which connector 23 issupported by a mold-plate when forming a structural member 21 having aconnector 23.

As shown in FIG. 17, in this example, a retainer 81 having a screw hole81 a is provided to connector 23 in between wedges 25 and urethanespring 27. In this retainer 81, screw hole 81 a communicates withinsertion fixing hole H formed by wedges 25.

Screw hole 81 a of retainer 81 is formed to projection 81 b whichengages with center hole 27 a of urethane spring 27.

Note that the ends of urethane spring 27 housed inside spring holdingmember 26 may be attached to spring holding member 26 and retainer 81 bymeans of an adhesive agent.

When attaching connector 23 to mold-plate 51, attachment bolt 91 isinserted into insertion fixing hole H of connector 23 via attachmenthole 52 which is formed in mold-plate 51, and screwed into screw hole 81a of retainer 81, bringing the open end of sleeve 24 into contact withthe inner surface 54 a of mold-plate 51.

Attachment bolt 91 has a head portion 91 a which has a diameter which islarger than that of attachment hole 52 of mold-plate 51. In addition,attachment bolt 91 has a neck portion 91 b which is formed to havealmost the same diameter as the diameter of the opening at the end ofsleeve 24 and attachment hole 52 of mold-plate 51. An axis 91 c which isnarrower than neck portion 91 b is formed at the tip of neck portion 91b. A screw portion 91 d which is narrower than axis 91 c and directlyscrews together into screw hole 81 a of retainer 81 is formed to the endof axis 91 c.

When screw portion 91 d of attachment bolt 91 is screwed into screw hole81 a of retainer 81 in connector 23, wedges 25 are drawn closer to theopen end of sleeve 24 by retainer 81. As a result, wedges 25 are pressedagainst the outer circumferential surface of axis 91 c of attachmentbolt 91, fixing connector 23 to attachment bolt 91.

In this state, concrete is poured into mold-plate 51 and hardened,thereby forming a structural member 21 in which connector 23 is providedat a specific position.

In attachment bolt 91, neck portion 91 b is tightly inserted intoattaching hole 52 of mold-plate 51 and sleeve 24 of connector 23. As aresult, connector 23 can be attached to a specific position onmold-plate 51 in a specific state.

Attachment bolt 91 of course must be pulled out of the loose connector23 when releasing the mold once the poured concrete has hardened.

FIG. 18 shows another method for attaching connector 23 to mold-plate51. In the connector 23 of this example, a nut 92 in which a screw hole92 a is formed is provided to retainer 81. Typically, nut 92 is attachedin a unitary manner to retainer 81 by means of welding or adhesion.However, it may also be disposed by engagement between retainer 81 andurethane spring 27 to prevent free rotation.

Note that the shape of attachment bolt 91 in this example is not limitedto that described above. Rather, the shape of attachment bolt 91 may bechanged in various ways in response to the structure of connector 23.

INDUSTRIAL FIELD OF APPLICATION

As described above, the present invention's connecting structure enablesextremely easy and sure connection of structural members, even if thereis a slight positional deviation between the structural members to beconnected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wedge production method for producing wedgesfor a connector provided with: a tapered sleeve, the innercircumferential surface of which has a gradually widening diameter inthe direction of insertion of said connecting rod; a plurality of wedgesthat are disposed in a circle within the sleeve to form an insertionfixing hole at their mutual center, this plurality of wedges beingdisposed so as to be freely moveable along the longitudinal direction ofthe sleeve with their outer circumferential surfaces in contact with theinner circumferential surface of the sleeve; and an elastic member forbiasing said wedges toward the rear direction of insertion of theconnecting rod which is inserted into said insertion fixing hole;wherein, a plurality of intermediate work pieces, which are flabellatein cross-section, are produced and then placed in a forging machinedisposed in a circle with their lateral surfaces facing one another, andthe intermediate work pieces are simultaneously forge-molded into wedgesby the forging machine to produce the wedges which form said connector.2. A wedge production method according to claim 1, wherein saidintermediate product is molded by forging.
 3. A wedge production methodaccording to claim 1, wherein a symbol indicating the arrangement of theplurality of wedges is stamped on the end surface of the wide diameterside of each wedge during simultaneous forging of the plurality ofwedges.
 4. A connector attaching structure for using an attaching memberto attach to a mold-plate a connector provided with: a tapered sleeve,the inner circumferential surface of which has a gradually wideningdiameter in the direction of insertion of a connecting rod; a pluralityof wedges that are disposed in a circle within the sleeve to form aninsertion fixing hole at their mutual center, this plurality of wedgesbeing disposed so as to be freely moveable along the longitudinaldirection of said sleeve with their outer circumferential surfaces incontact with the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve; and anelastic member for biasing said wedges toward the rear direction ofinsertion of said connecting rod which is inserted into said insertionfixing hole; said attaching member being provided with: a cylindricalpin which passes through the attachment hole formed in said mold-plate,to insert into and engage with said insertion fixing hole of saidconnector disposed at the inner surface of said mold-plate; a stoppingmember provided to said cylindrical pin, which is stopped by the outersurface of said mold-plate; an elastically deformable elastic memberwhich is provided to the end of said cylindrical pin on said connectorside; an attachment bolt which passes through said elastic member andsaid cylindrical pin, the head of which is stopped by said elasticmember; and an attachment nut which screws onto the end of saidattachment bolt which projects outward from the end of said cylindricalpin; wherein, said attaching member attaches said connector to saidmold-plate by screwing on said attachment nut of said attaching member,causing said elastic member to be compressed so that its diameterexpands.
 5. A connector attaching structure according to claim 4,wherein said stopping member is a tightening nut which screw-attaches tosaid cylindrical pin.
 6. A connector attaching structure for using anattaching member to attach to a mold-plate a connector provided with: atapered sleeve, the inner circumferential surface of which has agradually widening diameter in the direction of insertion of saidconnecting rod; a plurality of wedges that are disposed in a circlewithin said sleeve to form an insertion fixing hole at their mutualcenter, this plurality of wedges being disposed so as to be freelymoveable along the longitudinal direction of said sleeve with theirouter circumferential surfaces in contact with the inner circumferentialsurface of said sleeve; and an elastic member for biasing said wedgestoward the rear direction of insertion of the connecting rod which isinserted into said insertion fixing hole; said attaching member beingprovided with: an engaging portion that inserts into and engages withthe attaching hole of said mold-plate; a stopping member provided tosaid engaging portion, which is stopped by the outer surface of saidmold-plate; a plurality of wide-diameter pieces disposed in oppositionto one another at the open end of the inner circumferential wall of thesleeve of said connector, sandwiching the axis of said connectortherebetween; a biasing means for biasing said plurality ofwide-diameter pieces along said axis; a wide-diameter piece manipulatingmember provided with a tapered surface disposed in between saidplurality of wide-diameter pieces, for mutually separating saidplurality of wide-diameter pieces accompanying relative movement towardsaid attachment hole, and mutually bringing together said wide-diameterpieces under the biasing force of said biasing means accompanyingrelative movement in the opposite direction, and an interlocking memberfor interlocking with said wide-diameter pieces when they have beenbrought mutually close together and moving them in the oppositedirection; an attachment bolt which passes through said wide-diameterpiece manipulating member, said engaging portion and said stoppingmember, the head of which is stopped by said wide-diameter piecemanipulating member; and an attachment nut which screws onto the end ofsaid attachment bolt which projects outward from the end of saidstopping member; wherein, said attaching member attaches said connectorto said mold-plate by screwing on said attachment nut of said attachingmember, causing said wide-diameter pieces to be compressed in the outercircumferential direction by said wide-diameter manipulating member. 7.A connector attaching structure for attaching to a mold-plate aconnector provided with: a tapered sleeve, the inner circumferentialsurface of which has a gradually widening diameter in the direction ofinsertion of said connecting rod; a plurality of wedges that aredisposed in a circle within said sleeve to form an insertion fixing holeat their mutual center, said plurality of wedges being disposed so as tobe freely moveable along the longitudinal direction of said sleeve withtheir outer circumferential surfaces in contact with the innercircumferential surface of said sleeve; and an elastic member forbiasing said wedges toward the rear direction of insertion of theconnecting rod which is inserted into said insertion fixing hole;wherein, a retainer having a screw hole is provided in between saidwedges and said elastic member of said connector, with the screw holecommunicating with said insertion fixing hole; and said connector isattached to said mold-plate by inserting the attachment bolt which hasbeen inserted through the attachment hole of said mold-plate into saidinsertion fixing hole, and screwing said attachment bolt into the screwhole of said retainer.
 8. A connector attaching structure for attachingto a mold-plate a connector provided with: a tapered sleeve, the innercircumferential surface of which has a gradually widening diameter inthe direction of insertion of said connecting rod; a plurality of wedgesthat are disposed in a circle within said sleeve to form an insertionfixing hole at their mutual center, this plurality of wedges beingdisposed so as to be freely moveable along the longitudinal direction ofsaid sleeve with their outer circumferential surfaces in contact withthe inner circumferential surface of said sleeve; and an elastic memberfor biasing said wedges toward the rear direction of insertion of theconnecting rod which is inserted into said insertion fixing hole;wherein, a retainer is provided in between said wedges and said elasticmember of said connector, said retainer being provided with a nut havinga screw hole; and said connector is attached to said mold-plate byinserting the attachment bolt through the attachment hole of saidmold-plate into said insertion fixing hole, and screwing said nut intosaid screw hole.